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Detroit Lions: Reviewing the bye week roster moves

By Steven Mullenax

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Jim Caldwell of the Detroit Lions greets Khyri Thornton #99 of the Detroit Lions durng warm ups before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Jim Caldwell of the Detroit Lions greets Khyri Thornton #99 of the Detroit Lions durng warm ups before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions were busy through their bye week making several roster moves. Let’s review those moves and try to project their impact on the Motor City.

Most NFL teams use their bye week to rest, re-evaluate and readjust. With most players dealing with one sort of injury or another, the time off is crucial to getting healthy enough to make a run in the second half of the season. But the bye also allows teams to make changes to their rosters. And the Detroit Lions are no different.

The Lions made some moves during their bye week that could help their play moving forward. We will review these changes and try to project their impact on the Motor City moving forward.

First, let’s go over all the transactions following Detroit’s Week Six loss to the New Orleans Saints back on Sunday, October 15th.

Wednesday, October 18th

Defensive end Jacquies Smith was signed.
Defensive tackle Caraun Reid was waived
Defensive end Datone Jones was released.
Defensive end George Johnson was released.
Offensive tackle Bryce Harris was signed.
Quarterback Brad Kaaya was claimed via waivers from the Carolina Panthers.

Monday, October 23rd

Quarterback Brad Kaaya was waived.
Defensive tackle Khyri Thornton activated off the suspended list

Tuesday, October 24th

Punter Jeff Locke released.

Wednesday, October 25th

Quarterback Brad Kaaya added to the practice squad.
Wide Receiver Jace Billingsley signed from the practice squad to the active roster.

Analysis

Well, it appears to have been an up and down week for Kaaya, the Lions 2016 sixth round selection out of Miami (FL). Waived during final cuts by Detroit, it appeared the Lions wanted to stash the young prospect on their practice squad to start the season. Instead, Kaaya was claimed by the Panthers.

When Carolina released him last week, the Lions jumped on the chance to add him back to their team. In a strategic move, they released the rookie passer on Monday and added him to their practice squad two days later.

The addition of Harris will add some much needed depth to an injured offensive line. With punter Sam Martin returning from a ankle/foot injury, Locke’s release was inevitable.

Coming off suspension, Thornton’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. His presence should help negate the loss of veteran defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who was placed on Injured Reserve earlier this month due to a biceps injury.

Next: Lions' gameplan for beating the Steelers

Finally, it is good to see Billingsley finally make the active roster. The diminutive slot receiver has been a preseason superstar for Detroit the past two seasons.

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